CNET Top 5

Tech upgrades of 2015

The most compelling tech upgrades you can expect to make in 2015.

2:52 / 16 January 2015

Transcript

[MUSIC]
There's some crazy futuristic stuff coming out in 2015.
Like those new VR goggles from Oculus, and, 3D food printers.
But what about the practical tech that you already use everyday?
I'm Donald Bell, and in this top five I'm counting down the five most exciting tech upgrades you'll make this year.
Starting off at number five, your laptop.
The laptop market keeps contracting year after year.
But the good news is that the products are getting better.
2015 will see the launch of two highly anticipated PC laptops, the Dell XPS 13 and the Lenovo LaVie Z. Both make use of Intel's latest Broadwell processors, and both take direct aim at the MacBook Air.
Given that, I'd be surprised if Apple didn't up the ante with a dramatic refresh of the Air, just to keep things interesting.
At number four, Windows 10.
I'm gonna break this out separately from laptops because it's estimated that half of the world's PCs are still running Windows 7.
For all of their effort, Microsoft just couldn't lure all of you to embrace Windows 8 so along comes Windows 10 later this year along with a retreat back to the desktop centric view of Windows.
At number three, your home.
At least the parts of it you can upgrade with this year's title wave of smarthome accessories.
There's now a full on battle between Google's Nest platform.
Samsung's SmartThings platform and Apple's HomeKit.
So if you've ever wanted to tell your phone to unlock your front door or spy on your cat with night-vision cameras or quantify your water usage into a tablet app, 2015 is your year.
Coming in at number two, your car stereo.
Between Android Auto and Apple CarPlay the bases are pretty well covered for anyone looking to have a tighter integration between their car and the content and services on their phone.
After market options like the Pioneer NEX line and the Parrot RNB6 are the first out of the gate but expect to see other manufacturers pile on.
And finally, the number one tech upgrade to save up for in 2015, the great 4k-ification of everything.
This is more than just 4k TV's, those are already here and the options will just continue to improve as the year goes on.
So we forget about all the other stuff connected to your TV.
Getting real 4K out of your DVR, Roku, Apple TV, or Chromecast will take more than just a software update.
We're talking hardware upgrades across the board.
This year 4K will be inescapable.
Your smart phone camera will be 4K, your computer monitor will be 4K, your drone, your smart watch, your burrito, and your underwear, all 4K.
And your wallet will be empty.
- So there you go, five tech upgrades you're likely to make in 2015.
For more Top 5's head over to Top5.
CNET.com.
I'm Donald Bell, thanks for watching.

Coming up next

Apple, fix these HomePod issues ASAP (CNET Top 5)

The best (and worst) things about Marvel's 'Black Panther' (CNET...

Top 5 most-anticipated geek movies of 2018

Top 5 most breakable phones

Top 5 best things about 'Black Lightning'

Top 5 puzzling products from CES 2018

Resolve to be like Mark Zuckerberg for 2018 (Top 5)

Top 5 rejected 'Top 5s' (2017 edition)

Iyaz's top 5 favorite tech and gadgets of 2017

Top 5 questions for Apple in 2018

Latest Culture videos

Which new iPads are coming in March?

6:0922 February 2018

New iPads are just around the corner. Can you really use mayo to remove HomePod "white rings"? And Apple employees are walking into...

Play video

Use these apps and you won't spend Galentine's Day alone

2:3416 February 2018

These apps are like Tinder for gal pals. Hey Vina, Bumble BFF, Present can help you find a friend for Galentine's Day.